New EDCA fuel storage facility built in Cebu

MANILA, Philippines — A new military fuel storage facility funded by the United States opened Thursday, January 30 at a Philippine air base in Cebu, expanding storage capacity for aircraft operations in central Philippines.

The facility — located at the Brigadier General Benito N Ebuen Air Base in Lapu-Lapu City — features two above-ground storage tanks with a combined capacity of over 151,000 liters, according to a statement by the Philippine Air Force.

Commanders of the Philippine Air Force (PAF) and the US Pacific Air Forces (PACAF) attended the inauguration and turnover of the facility on Thursday. 

Built by Himalayan Builders and Engineers Pvt. Ltd. and ACE Builders, the project includes a modern fuel handling system and a covered parking area for refueling trucks within a secured perimeter.

The construction of the facility was undertaken as part of the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) between the Philippines and the US. 

The new facility aids the PAF's ability to effectively carry out its missions, said Major General Ramil G Oloroso, commander of the PAF's Air Mobility Command. He attended the turnover ceremony alongside PACAF Commander General Kevin B Schneider. 

The storage facility will support humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations, "strengthen national defense capabilities, and sustain a wide range of PAF flying missions," according to the PAF's statement. 

This includes airlift, internal security, and territorial defense operations.

Construction of the facility began in June 2022 and was completed in September 2024. 

The EDCA, signed in 2014, allows US forces to construct facilities and preposition defense equipment within designated Philippine military bases. It also facilitates security cooperation exercises, joint military training, and humanitarian assistance activities between the two allies.

The Brigadier General Benito N Ebuen Air Base, formerly known as the Mactan Air Base, is a Philippine Air Force installation that shares facilities with the Mactan-Cebu International Airport. 

Located in Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu, it serves as a vital military hub in the Visayas, hosting the PAF's 2nd Air Division and supporting both civilian and military aviation operations in central Philippines. 

The base is named after Brigadier General Benito N. Ebuen, a decorated Philippine military aviator.